How to create an Amazon store and start selling step by step

Creating an Amazon store is simple: you just need to create an account on Amazon Seller Central, the platform where you’ll manage your business. Then, choose between an Individual or Professional account, depending on how many products you plan to sell. Once registered, you're ready to start your business.

In this guide by Jordi Ordóñez, we’ll walk you through how to create your own Amazon store and start selling successfully.

How to open an Amazon store?

To start selling on Amazon, you need to create an account on Amazon Seller Central. This is the platform where you’ll manage your products, orders, pricing, and sales strategies.

Steps to register as an Amazon Seller

Before you start selling, you need to create an account on Amazon Seller Central, the portal where you’ll manage your business. The registration process is simple, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid issues later on.

1. Go to Amazon Seller Central (https://sell.amazon.es for Spain or https://sell.amazon.com for the U.S.).
2. Click “Sign Up.”
3. Choose between an Individual or Professional account.
4. Fill in your tax and banking information.
5. Provide identity verification documents.
6. Set up your seller profile.

Individual vs. professional account

The Individual Account has no monthly fee, but Amazon charges €0.99 per sale, making it ideal if you sell only a few products. On the other hand, the Professional Account costs €39 per month, but it eliminates the per-sale fee and provides access to advanced tools, making it the best option for serious businesses.

You might be interested in our eBook Guide for Selling on Amazon. 

What are the requirements to sell on Amazon?

To sell on Amazon, you must meet certain legal and administrative requirements:

• Be of legal age and have a valid ID.
• Have a bank account to receive payments.
• Comply with Amazon’s policies, including product restrictions.
• Register a business (optional, but recommended for large-scale sales).

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How much does it cost to create an Amazon Seller account?

The cost of selling on Amazon depends on several factors:

• Individual Account: €0.99 per sale.
• Professional Account: €39 per month.
• Referral Fees: Between 8% and 15% of the product price, depending on the category.
• Shipping Fees: If you manage shipments yourself (FBM).

How much does Amazon charge for storage?

If you use Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), Amazon will store, pack, and ship your products.

• Storage Fees: Start at €30/m³ per month in the low season and go up to €60/m³ during peak demand.
• Shipping Fees: Depend on the product’s size and weight.

Amazon FBA is a convenient option, but you must calculate costs carefully to maintain a healthy profit margin.

How to create an Amazon store in the USA

If you want to sell on Amazon.com (United States), follow these steps:

1. Create an account on Amazon Seller Central USA.
2. Register your business in the U.S. (if you're not a resident, you can use services like Stripe Atlas).
3. Obtain an EIN or ITIN (for tax purposes).
4. Set up international payment methods with services like Payoneer or Wise.

Amazon USA has a massive market, but also more competition.

How to sell on Amazon without inventory

If you don’t want to invest in stock, there are several ways to sell without inventory:

• Dropshipping: You sell products from a supplier, and they ship them directly to the customer.
• Print on Demand: You create designs, and Amazon prints them on t-shirts, mugs, etc.
• Retail Arbitrage: You buy cheap products in physical stores and resell them on Amazon.

How to sell on Amazon USA step by step

If you want to sell on Amazon USA, follow this guide:

1. Sign up for an Amazon.com account.
2. Choose a business model (FBA, dropshipping, private label, etc.).
3. Find profitable products using tools like Jungle Scout or Helium 10.
4. Upload them to Amazon with optimized titles, images, and descriptions.
5. Choose a shipping strategy (FBA or FBM).
6. Launch advertising campaigns on Amazon Ads to drive traffic.

Is selling on Amazon profitable?

Yes, selling on Amazon can be profitable, but it’s important to approach it strategically. Here are some critical factors to consider to ensure profitability:

Profit Margins

One of the most important factors to evaluate is your profit margin. When selling on Amazon, you have to account for a variety of fees, including referral fees (which range from 8% to 15%, depending on the category), shipping costs, and Amazon's fulfillment fees if you use FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). Additionally, you might incur advertising costs if you run campaigns to promote your products. 

Competition

Amazon’s marketplace is highly competitive, with thousands of sellers vying for visibility in almost every category. In some niches, competition is so fierce that prices can be driven down, which leads to slimmer margins. You’ll need to find ways to stand out, whether through optimized listings, strong branding, or offering superior customer service. Often, a competitive price point alone isn’t enough—differentiation is key.

Advertising

Amazon Ads are almost a requirement for success, especially in competitive categories. These ads allow your products to appear higher in search results, driving more traffic and visibility to your listings. However, advertising can be costly, so you’ll need to factor in this expense when calculating profitability. Effective use of Amazon Ads can significantly increase sales volume, but it requires constant optimization and budget management to ensure you're achieving a positive return on investment (ROI).

Selling on Amazon as an individual

If you want to sell on Amazon without registering a company, you can use the Individual Account. However, this option has limitations, such as no access to advanced advertising tools or sales reports.

Selling on Amazon Spain

Selling on Amazon Spain is easier if you already have a business in the EU. The main difference from Amazon USA is tax regulations and a smaller market.

Can you create an online store for free on Amazon?

Not entirely. The Individual Account has no monthly fee, but Amazon charges commissions on each sale. If you're looking for free options, you might consider marketplaces like Wallapop or eBay.

How to sell on Amazon using Alibaba

Alibaba is a great source for products to sell on Amazon under the Private Label model.

Step 1: Find reliable suppliers on Alibaba.
Step 2: Order samples before buying wholesale.
Step 3: Ship products directly to Amazon FBA.

Looking for profitable products to sell? Check out the Lectómetro Escolar for kids (ages 5-7), a great educational tool to help children learn to read.

Selling on Amazon can be a profitable business, but it requires strategy. If you want to avoid mistakes and get a competitive edge, contact Jordi Ordóñez, we’ll help you launch your store successfully!

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